The best dog food to feed your dog is one that contains fresh foods that have a natural source of vitamins and minerals. Such nutrients as natural minerals, metals, and vitamins can affect the health of your dog in complex and interactive ways.

Some nutrients, like iron and vitamin D, may increase the risk of heart disease when consumed in excess. Others, like magnesium, signal increased risk when the body is deficient. Still others, especially the antioxidant vitamins C and E, and the carotenoids, actively guard against body processes that lead to cardiovascular problems.

The key to prevention and health in your dog is making sure your dog gets enough of the right nutrients.

How can I give my dog the right nutrients?

Providing your dog with fresh raw vegetables in every meal is a key building block for creating the best dog food for him, allowing his body to take the nutrients he needs from those foods. Vegetables contain nutrient-dense ingredients, which means high levels of nutrients and low levels of "antinutrients" like some fats and refined carbohydrates.

I use a variety of vegetables and chop them in the food processor to make them small enough for my dog's body to digest the food. I use vegetables rich in antioxidants and carotenoids. These are the leafy green vegetables and those with a rich green or orange color.

Many vegetables are high in mixed carotenoids, which show numerous protective effects against many cancers, including those of the lung, stomach, and throat of animals.

Vegetables also contain boron, the trace mineral that is acknowledged as an important nutrient that helps prevent bone deterioration. Boron has been found to prevent calcium loss from bones, thus keeping them stronger longer. Many dogs suffer skeletal problems and by feeding them fresh vegetables you can keep them running and jumping into their "senior" years.

More reasons fresh raw vegetables make the best dog food for your dog.

Antioxidants in vegetables help protect the body against the damaging effects of free radicals that are formed when fat is oxidized. Free radicals are so lethal that the animal body manufactures its own antioxidants, such as the enzyme superoxide dismutase, and absorbs others from food.

Many vitamins are natural antioxidants, including vitamin E, vitamin C, zinc, selenium, and the carotenoids. You can avoid much of the risk of free radicals by giving your dog the best dog food with fresh raw vegetables.

Feeding your dog the best dog food is one way to help ensure your dog a longer, healthier and more disease resistent life. However, there are other factors that must be considered. Ultra Dog Health is about increasing the health, happiness and longevity of your dog.